Closure fastener



March 1, 1932. O. LANTERO 1,847,117

CLOSURE FASTENER Filed May 14. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 flllomey March 1, 1932. O LANTERO 1,847,117

CLOSURE FASTENERY Filed May 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 j fi i z/ Inventor fli'a fe Jan/fem,

/7 llorncy Patented. Mar. 1 1932 OREST'E LANTERO, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS CLOSURE FASTENER Application filed May 14, 1931. Serial No. 537,395.

This invention relates to an improved fastener for a closure of the type generally referred to as a cap, and of the form generally employed in connection with present day mo- {8 tor vehicle fuel tanks.

The particular type of closure structure which embodies the improvement is the kind wherein the filler neck is provided at its mouth with a marginal retaining flange having diametrically opposite notches, and

wherein the cap-is provided with a spider defining a pair of diametrically opposite retaining arms which are inserted through the notches and then turned in a rotary manner 1 to engage beneath the flange so as to hold the cap in place.

The aforesaid type of cap construction can readily be removed by unauthorized persons and the fuel can be easily siphoned from the tank. With this objectionable thought in mind, I have evolved and produced a simple, economical and dependable key-controlled locking device which does not interfere with I easy application of the cap, and which is con structed to prevent unauthorized removal of the cap, whereby to safeguard the contents of the tank. v

The explicit details defining the refinements and improvements as well as the features of novelty will become more readily apparent as well as the following description and drawings.

In the drawings: Fi ure 1 is a view in section and elevation showlng the improved cap in place.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view.

taken approximately through the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are similar horizontal sectime on the line 3--3 and H respectively of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view showing the retaining leaves in retracted cap removing position.

Figure 6 is a detail of a type of key which can be employed.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the springreturned depressible operating button.

In the drawings, in Figure 1, a fragmentary portion of: the body of the tank 1s denoted by the numeral 8 and the filler neck is represented at 9. The closure or cap is distingui shed by the numeral 10. The cap is shown formed with the customary annulus 11 whiclrtelescopes down over the neck 9 and in the present form of the invention the cap is formed with a central opening and a depending ring-like collar 12.

As seen in Figure t on one side of this collar is a small cylinder 13 which accommodates a projection spring 14: and a projectable latch pin 15. This latch projects through an opening in the collar and into the area of the collar as shown in the drawings.

Incidentally, the inner end of the latch has a double bevel, the vertical bevel being adapted to co-operate with the depressible button 16 and the side bevel being "adapted to cooperate with a companion detent l7 constituting a part of the key 18.

The button comprises a suitably shaped casing 19 having a central key containing barrel to accommodate the key 18. The button is also provided with a flange 21 as shown in Figure 5 defining an endless keeper groove 22 into which the bevelled end of the spring pressed latch pin 15 is projectable.

The button is further formed with an integral stem 23 slidable through a guide opening in a spider 24 which bridges the collar 12. Hingedly mounted as at 25 in this collar are diametrically opposite retaining plates or leaves 26 whose free end portions are adapted to project into diametrically opposite notches 27 formed in the flange 28 carried by and projecting into the neck 9. Incidentally, this flange 28 is provided with a depending lip 28 beneath which the usual or conventional re:

taining arms 29 engage as indicated in Figure 2.

As before stated, the usual cap is provided with arms 29 and these are simply slipped down through the notches 27 and then the cap is bodily rotated to engage the arms underneath the, lip 28*.

The numeral 30 designates a return spring which surrounds the stem, bears against the spider at one end and against the button 16 at its upper end. The numerals 31 designate links pivotally connected at their inner ends to the inner end portion of the stem 23 and 100 pivotally connected at their outer ends to the corresponding ends of the hinged retaining plate 26.

When placing the cap on the neck 9, it b is so positioned that the fixed retaining arms 29 register with the diametrically opposite notches. Then the cap is slipped down on the neck so as to engage the outer ends of the arms 29 beneath the depending lip 28*. 10 Next, the cap is turned in the customary way to position the arms in the approximate position represented in Figure 2. This brings the hingedly mounted plates 26 into a position to register the notches 27, which position is illustrated in Figure 5. v

The next step is to depress thebutton 16 thus forcing it down into the guide collar 12. This compresses the spring 30 and permits the edge of the flange 21 to ride against the projecting bevelled end of the latch pin 15. The latch is thus temporarily forced to a retracted position compressing the spring 14 in the cylinder 13. I

Further depression of the button 16 allows the latch pin to snap back into the keeper groove 22 in which position it is shown in Figure 4. At the same time, the downward movement thus produced on the stem 23 acts upon the links 31 to elevate the plates 26 to the notches 27, consequently the cap cannot are displaced from the notches 27.

In order to do this, it is necessary to use a key similar to that represented at 18 in Fig- :zs ure 6. The key is inserted in a position so that by rotating the barrel 20 in the usual way the detent 17 will ride against the adj acent bevelled end of the latch pin 15 thus releasing the button 16 and allowing the spring 21 to come into playto cause the button to 'ump out to the projected position shown in igure 5.

Thisreverse operation of the button obviously retracts the plates 26 from the notches 46 27 allowing the cap to be rotated and removed.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description 50 is thought unnecessary.

lVhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted toif desired. 1

' I claim:

1. In a structure of theclass described, in combination, a tank provided with a filler neck having a marginal retaining flange at its mouth portion, said flange having diametrically opposite notches, a closing cap for said neck provided with a pair of diametrically opposite retaining arms adapted to be inserted through said notches and engaged beneath the flange to hold the cap and stem.

thereafter be rotated until these plates. 26

with said notches to prevent unauthorized rotation of the cap, said means embodying a spring returned depressible thumb button, a slidable stem, a pair of hingedly mounted members for location in said notches, and operating connections between the members able through the opening in the cap, and operating connections between the button and said hingedly mounted plate.

3. As a new product of manufactpre, a closing cap of the class described embodying a central opening and a depending collar in alinement with said opening, a pair of rigid arms carried by said collar and disposed at diametrically opposite points, a pair of hingedly mounted retaining plates also carried by said collar, a slidable spring-pressed button mounted in said collar and projectable through the opening in the cap, and operating connections between the button and said hingedly mounted plate, together with a spring-pressed latch carried by said collar and projectable into the collar in the path of movement of said button, and key controlled means embodied in said button for disengaging said latch.

4:. A tank cap structure of the class described comprising a body provided with an annulus adapted to telescopically embrace a filler neck on the tank, said cap being provided with a central opening and a depending ring-like collar in alinement with said opening, said collar constituting a button guide, a spring pressed latch mounted on said collar and projectable through an opening into the interior of the collar, a pair of diametrically opposite rigid retaining arms connected with and radiating from said collar, a pair of supplemental retaining plates hingedly attached at their inner ends to said collar, a key accommodating button slidable in said collar, a return spring for normally projecting the button to an extended position, and an operating connection between the button and said hingedly mountedplate.

5. In a structure of the class described, a hollow cap provided with a neck embracing annulus, a central opening and 2. depending circular collar in alinement with said opening, a spring-pressed bevelled-end latch pin mounted on said collar and projectable through an opening in the collar, a spider with the corresponding ends of said hingedly mounted plate, together with a spring surrounding said stem and hearing at one end againstthe vspider and at its opposite end against the button.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

. ORESTE LANTERO. 

